James Hargrove Thomas

James Hargrove Thomas, 87, a resident of Watson, LA, passed away Tuesday, August 10, 2021, after a lengthy illness. He was a long-term resident of Baton Rouge, LA, and Magnolia, Miss. Thomas was born in Memphis, Tenn. on December 20, 1933, the son of Edward Creed Thomas and Annie Eleanor Hargrove Thomas. He is survived by his wife, Carole Macaluso Thomas, of Watson; a daughter, Jamie Leigh Thomas, of Charleston, S.C.; and stepchildren, Bret Randall Weishar (Lisa), Todd Derek Weishar (Shawn) and Ashley Weishar Collison, all of Baton Rouge. He had five step-grandchildren: Jeanne Varner, Amanda Weishar Kearns (John), Kyle Weishar (Tiffani), Jacob Collison and Nicole Weishar Morales (Alex); and nine step-great grandchildren. Thomas was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings, including Dorothy Eleanor Thomas Holt, Jack Creed Thomas, Mai Thomas Davis and Frank Clyde Thomas. He began his career in law enforcement while serving four years in the U.S. Air Force as a Military Police Officer in the mid-1950s, including a tour in Korea. After returning to the states, he became a respected member of the East Baton Rouge Parish law enforcement community where he held several positions during a distinguished 30-year career. His work included the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office from 1969-1972, where he was a Detective; The LSU Police Department from 1973-1976, serving as Assistant Police Chief; and the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney's Office from 1976-1989, working his way up to Chief Investigator before retiring. His retirement was short-lived, however, when Thomas was asked to join the East Baton Rouge Office of the Public Defender, where he worked from 1991-1998, before his second retirement. Thomas then shared his years of experience and expertise in law enforcement by teaching Criminal Investigation for LSU's Paralegal Studies Program. Thomas graduated from Humes High School's Class of 1953 in Memphis, graduating with Elvis Presley. Thomas was Most Likely To Succeed in his graduating class. He received a bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University in 1968 and became a lifelong Tiger fan. Through the years, Thomas received numerous honors and educational opportunities, including attending and graduating from the FBI National Academy in 1982. He also stayed active in local civic and community groups. In the 1960s, he joined Baton Rouge-area Masonic Lodges, earning the highest rank of Master Mason and remaining a lifetime Mason. During the 1970s, he was active in the Baton Rouge Civitan Club, rising in the organization to become local president in 1977-1978. After retiring and moving to Magnolia, Thomas continued serving his community through numerous organizations and service projects, ultimately being named Magnolia's Citizen of the Year in appreciation. An avid learner, Thomas continued searching for ways to improve himself. He loved history, ultimately using that interest as a foundation for learning about genealogy and researching his family roots. He spent time exploring records online and visiting archives in multiple states. He also had a great interest in photography and computers, having done professional photography and becoming an avid promoter and user of technology and computers. He taught himself how to use a computer long before home computers were common. He shared his knowledge by helping others, including creating and maintaining websites for nonprofit organizations like the Historical Society, Genealogical Society and Chamber of Commerce, all in Magnolia, and his high school alma mater, Memphis' Humes High School Class of 1953. The family is grateful for the compassionate support and care from the many doctors, nurses, physical therapists and support staff at hospitals, rehab facilities and home service agencies that have helped him through the years. The family will have visitation Thursday August 19, 2021, from 12 p.m.-2 p.m., at Rabenhorst East Funeral Home Chapel, 11000 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge, with the service starting in the Chapel at 2 p.m. Interment will follow immediately after the service at Greenoaks Memorial Park, 9595 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge. For those unable to attend, Rabenhorst will live stream the chapel and graveside services on its Facebook page - www.Facebook.com/RabenhorstFuneralCremation. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dream Day Foundation to support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, at 11919 Bricksome Ave., Suite E-8, Baton Rouge, LA 70816, or to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Baton Rouge, at P.O. Box 127, Baton Rouge, LA 70821.